Outlet

Outlet is now defunct (and, indeed, I know that
someone has purchased the entire unsold stock of LPs, 7” singles and cassettes,
including some 50,000 of the last–named).

The company employed a bewildering variety of
catalogue number prefixes. Original vinyl releases were prefixed SOLP or OLP
and STOL or TOL (depending upon whether the record was stereo or mono),
cassettes COX and CDs (whether originals or reissues) PTICD, plus some releases
were also issued as 8-track cartridges. However, that’s only half the story as
there’s also the OAS/COAS traditional music series, the LPCL series, the mainly
ballads Chyme series and various other prefixes and don’t
even ask me what BOL or ZLP signified! To add to the confusion, some albums
were reissued with different titles to the originals (and sometimes different
catalogue numbers too) and selected albums were also issued on the label’s
Dublin-based offshoot, Homespun (using the HRL prefix). Outlet was also thoroughly
lackadaisical when it came to putting a date on its releases. Gaps are depicted
in redfont.

The list below omits most of the many recordings of
balladeers, pub songs, rebel songs, etc. except those of historical importance,
as well as the company’s short-lived Shock Rock label, a woeful attempt to cash
in on punk.

Note that many websites suggest that Outlet is still
in existence, but clicking on their links will direct you to the online music
store www.soundsirish.com which is connected to Wren
Records.

Many thanks to Michael Costello for his help in
compiling this discography.

Traditional Music series – where possible, the original title has
been given

Most were reissued as CDs (with
the PTICD prefix). Those that were not retain the original SOLP prefix.

PTICD 1001Tom McHaile –
All Ireland Whistling Champion (also

issued
as All Ireland Whistling Champion at Boyle)

PTICD 1002Seán
McGuire and Roger

Sherlock – Two Champions

(released
under at least two other titles, including Irish Traditional Fiddling)

SOLP 1003The Fianna
Folk – Free and

Easy (ballad group)

PTICD 1004Finbarr
Dwyer with Teresa

McMahon–
Pure Traditional

Irish
Accordion Music (also issued as Irish Traditional

Accordionist)

PTICD 1005Seán McGuire and Josephine Keegan
– Champion of

Champions

PTICD 1006Seán McGuire – Traditional Irish
Fiddle(also issued as The

Best of
...)

PTICD
1007Séamus Tansey – Traditional
Irish Music (reissued under at least three different titles, including The
Best of Séamus Tansey in LP and cassette format)